Czech Republic cancel Scotland game over coronavirus fears

Scotland’s international match against Czech Republic has been called off by the host nation after the Czech FA said it had concerns about the risks from coronavirus.

The national association announced on Friday night that they had taken the decision to cancel Monday’s game after taking medical advice. The Scottish FA say they are unaware of the cancellation and have not been contacted by their opponents.

Earlier this week a member of the Czech team’s backroom staff tested positive for Covid-19 and two players were quarantined.

A statement on the Czech FA website read: “The national team camp is over, the team is disbanded.

“The reason is the debate between the assigned hygienist and the FACR chairman.

“There is great concern that the virus could spread further. The match with Scotland will not take place on Monday.”

However, a postponement or cancellation of the Nations League match has not yet been confirmed by UEFA.

A Scottish FA spokesman said: “We are aware of reports that the Football Association of the Czech Republic have taken the decision not to play Monday’s game.

“We have not received any official notification from the Football Association of the Czech Republic to that effect but have contacted UEFA for confirmation on the status of the match.

“We will update further when we receive clarification.”

After a positive test for the member of the backroom staff, the Czech squad were all retested and no further positive results were announced ahead of their match against Slovakia.

The FA said that players would travel in small groups by road to their match on Friday, scrapping plans to fly to Bratislava, and said all precautions were being taken.

After the game, which the Czechs won 3-1, the FA announced that the national team camp would be disbanded and Monday’s game would not take place.

The Scotland team were due to fly out this weekend for the match in Olomouc, after drawing 1-1 with Israel in their opening match on Friday.

UEFA rules state that if a team cannot field a team plus two substitutes, then it would be rescheduled and may be played at a neutral venue.

If it is not possible to find a new date for the game in European football’s packed calendar, then UEFA will decide if either side is at fault and may cause them to forfeit the match.